Breast augmentation is a life-changing surgery that takes a lot of consideration before deciding to go under the knife. The resulting breast shape is a combination of the implant type and shape, and the anatomy of the breast before surgery. If you’re thinking about breast augmentation surgery, here are the different types of implants and what they offer:
Round implants
Dr. Silverman uses round implants for most breast augmentation surgeries. This is because they are somewhat easier to use and provide excellent results. They consist of a smooth shell filled with either saline or silicone gel. A round implant provides more lift and cleavage than an anatomic implant and is designed to rotate in the breast pocket, unlike an anatomic implant.
Anatomic implants
Anatomic, or teardrop, implants are made of a silicone outer shell filled with thicker silicone gel, providing more projection and a larger implant with a narrower base. This is useful for patients who have a narrow rib cage and want a larger implant. For women who are in competitive bodybuilding and want to exhibit their intercostals and serratus muscles, an anatomic implant may not obscure that area, whereas a round implant may obscure it. Anatomic implants are also texture, which means they don’t rotate or spin around once implanted. One other consideration is that an upside-down anatomic implant may make you look top-heavy.
Breast implant placement
For women who bodybuild, there may be concerns about the placement of the implant if it’s under the muscle. Fortunately, breast implants are made to stand up to lots of pressure. While an implant can move or deflate, this is not typical and is rare. Dr. Silverman recommends that implants are placed under the pectoralis major chest muscle. This is because it makes for a better appearance, providing more tissue between the implant and skin, making it less obvious. This is especially true if the patient has low body fat. The implant can look obvious and show rippling when placed over the muscle of these patients.
If you’re interested in learning more about breast augmentation surgery and whether it’s right for you, schedule a consultation with Dr. Rick Silverman at our Boston office by calling (617) 965-9500.